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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Grad Season is almost here, but will all the ceremonies and parties happen with the ongoing teachers’ dispute?

In Vancouver, the answer is yes, but most of the organizing and operations will be done by parents and administrators.

“From talking with different principals, there does seem to be some cases where roles would’ve been filled by teachers are now being filled by parent volunteers,” explains Kurt Heinrich with the Vancouver School Board.

“We do appreciate parents taking the time and making sure that these grad parties continue and students are really able to celebrate an important milestone in their life,” he adds.

Everything from dinner dances to pancake breakfasts are taking place before the school year ends.

Expect to see the same in other school districts across the province.

Last month, Education Minister George Abbott says he’s not prepared to go through another year of teachers’ job action, suggesting an end in time for the 2012/2013 school year if a resolution has not been found by the end of the cooling-off period.

Abbott hopes both sides can reach an agreement, and notes they are still talking, but the minister admits there has not been much softening nearly one year after the dispute started.